The concession holder of the mining site where 11 people died on Monday, in the north of Mozambique, has accused the authorities of inaction and complicity with the illegal trading of rubies.

“These tragical casualties were caused by some foreign buyers who manage to do business illegally, in the light of day, in cities like Montepuez, without any inspection or sanction from authorities”, the Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM) the press release, signed by the manager for Corporate Affairs Raime Raimundo Pachinuapa, stated.

The buyers “enter and leave the country, in particular through Pemba International Airport, frequently without the required documents, by bribing officials”.

“We need to fight this illegal activity as a country”, Raime Raimundo stressed, calling upon authorities to “enforce the law and stop the illegal trade of rubies”.

A non-authorised mining site inside the MRM perimeter collapsed on Monday due to heavy rain, trapping 11 illegal miners.

The company mines the deposit of rubies at Montepuez, in Cabo Delgado province, Northern Mozambique, which has an area of 35,000 hectares.